Match Details
Date: Friday 12 May 2017
Result: 4-2 (won)
Starting XI – Harry Thomas, Jamie Foulkes, Nathan Williams, Paul Griffiths (c), Dion Gibbins, Craig Roberts, Daniel Cox, Nic Jones, Alex Williams, Andrew Jones, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Kien Morris, Les Morris, Callum Mannion, Wez Parry, Darnell Prescott, Jack Richards
Goalscorer(s):
Alex Williams (2)
Oliver Davies
Kien Morris
MOM: Dion Gibbins
A bumper crowd of around 600 turned up at the Rock to witness underdogs Cefn Albion come from behind twice to be crowned as the new WNL Premier Division League cup champions.
A nervous start from the lads was punished by Nomads who took a deserved 1-0 lead. The Flintshire outfit started the game well and applied constant pressure on the Albion goal. Nomads could have gone 2-0 up only got a fine save from the excellent Harry Thomas. This seemed to give Albion the wake up call they needed and the lads started to ask questions of their own. After 30 minutes a pin point ball from Jamie Foulkes found Craig Roberts wide right who produced an excellent cross to find leading scorer Oli Davies who smashed in the equaliser to send the Albion army wild. It was games on as the Albion chants rung loud and proud from the stands. HT 1-1
As the second half began the rain began to fall heavily. The game was fairly even but just after the hour mark was a real game changer when Alex Williams burst clear only to be professionally fouled by a nomads player who was already on a yellow card. The referee took out his red card and rightly sent the player off. With the numerical advantage the Albion began to dictate passing from the back but the Nomads always posed a threat coming forward. A long punt forward by the Nomads keeper was not dealt with by the Albion back line and they took a surprise 2-1 lead with around 20 minutes to play. Despite falling behind for the second time in the game the Albion didn't panic the introduction of 17year old Kien Morris proved to be a game changer. The youngsters pace and power was causing havoc to the nomads back line and it was Morris who grabbed the equaliser with a fine finish from another Craig Roberts assist. 2-2. With the numerical advantage and nomads legs tiring it was Albion who were now searching for the winner. 10 minutes from time it was Alex Williams who was to deliver a blow to break nomads hearts. A Kien Morris assist allowed Williams to poke home the goal to put the cefners 3-2 up and ahead in the game for the first time. With just under 10 minutes remaining Alex Williams grabbed his second of the night to ensure that there would be no tense finale. Albion chants rung loud from the stands as the WNL Premier Division new comments were defying the odds and pulling off a cup shock against last year's league champions. Final result Cefn Albion 4-2 Fc Nomads.
Celebrations went on late into the night with the legion packed out to the rafters with jubilant players, management, committee and supporters drinking from our 6th trophy in just three seasons. What a tremendous achievement by everyone involved, a result that will certainly silence one or two doubters. No doubt there will be some sore heads this morning but the celebrations are set to continue as 40+ cefners descend on Haydock Park races as the CHAMPIONS!!!
As always we would like to thank our excellent supporters who showed up their droves and backed the team for the 90. WE would also like to thank Cefn Druids for their hospitality. Hope everyone has a good day at the races today and your success continues with plenty of winners!!!
Photo thanks to Martin Jones. More photos can be found on Martins official Facebook page can be found. We would also like to thank Colin Wright who filmed the game. If you want to relive the moment DVD's will be available for £12.50
#UPTHEALBION
#TOGETHER
#CHAMPIONS
#12THMAN
#CEFNERS
